Gallatin County

Belgrade family stays hopeful after learning baby has rare heart defect

Posted: Jan 23, 2013 4:26 PM by Judy Slate - MTN News

BELGRADE - Expecting a baby should be one of the happiest times of your life, but for one Belgrade couple, waiting for their baby girl to be born has raised many emotions from fear to faith.

Brad and Christi Dahl are expecting their second child in March. They have already named her Poppy. But Poppy's future is uncertain after doctors discovered she has a rare heart defect.

The Dahls have a 14-month-old son named Crosby who is perfectly healthy. Everything seemed okay with this pregnancy until doctors had a hard time hearing Poppy's heartbeat.

The Dahls were sent to a specialist in Billings. That's where the heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome was discovered. It means the entire left side of Poppy's heart is underdeveloped and without intervention she will die shortly after birth.

"When she's born she's going to need immediate intervention and surgery to reroute her heart to work on that side," said Christi.

Christi will give birth via cesarean section at the University of Washington Medical Center. Poppy will then be transported to Seattle Children's Hospital where the surgery will take place.

Poppy is not due until mid-March, but doctors want the Dahls in Seattle by the beginning of February in case Poppy arrives early.

Luckily, the Dahls have health insurance and Brad will be able to work from Seattle online. However, there will still be a lot of uncovered expenses and friends and family have already begun to help with donations and fundraisers.

Many people faces with this sort of crisis might lose their faith, not so for the Dahls.

"I would say that it's strengthened our faith. We believe that Poppy has a purpose," Brad said.

Poppy's first surgery is the most important. If the defect is more serious, she could need a heart transplant. If it goes well, she'll need another surgery at three months and a third surgery at three years old.

If you want to help the Dahl's or follow their story visit their blog -- http://prayforpoppy.wordpress.com/